Sutton Equality and Diversity

DataCard 2014/2015

Contents
Chief Executives Statement ________________________________________________________ 4
1.

Understanding Sutton ________________________________________________________ 6

2.

Age _______________________________________________________________________ 8

3.

Gender ___________________________________________________________________ 11

4.

Disability and Carers ________________________________________________________ 13

5.

Race and ethnicity __________________________________________________________ 16

6.

Religion and belief __________________________________________________________ 19

7.

Sexual Orientation __________________________________________________________ 20

8.

Domestic Violence and Hate Crime _____________________________________________ 22

9.

Deprivation ________________________________________________________________ 23

10. Workforce _________________________________________________________________ 24

1. Chief Executives Statement

This DataCard gives an overview of Equality and Diversity within the London Borough of Sutton. We hope
that this may provide a centralised, evidence-based and accessible collection of information relating to
people make up the Sutton community.
The DataCard complements and informs Suttons Equality and Diversity Framework, and alongside
Integrated Impact Assessments, creates a package by which Sutton seeks to meet its social responsibility
and legislative requirements, namely the Public Sector Equality Duty.
This is the first time that the London Borough of Sutton has produced an Equality and Diversity DataCard.
The Councils vision is that it will provide data in an easily accessible format, provide comment on the
trends and comparison against London and England, and how the Council is, and will be, responding to
trends with priorities, policies, programmes and activities.
The data utilised for this DataCard is from various sources including the Census, Office for National
Statistics and Nomis. It is intended that this DataCard will be updated on a regular basis; however, because
of the evolving nature of demographic data, at times this information may not be the most current. In the
future updated information will be available at data.Sutton.gov.uk

Sutton covers approximately 4385.5 hectares, and is one of the greenest London boroughs
with 420 hectares of green space and more than 80 parks and open spaces.
Sutton is divided into 18 wards, with three Councillors representing each ward.
Sutton has six Local Committees designed to give residents a greater say over council
decisions. Our Local Committees have the power to decide how money is spent on local
improvement projects and can raise important issues with local councillors.

2. Understanding Sutton
Between 2001 and 2011 Sutton experienced a 5.77% population increase from 179,768 to
190,146 residents. As at 2014, the population is estimated to be 195,625 which is a further
2.88% increase.
The population of Sutton will continue to grow in the foreseeable future. The Greater London
Authority (GLA) forecast a further increase of 12.77% by 2041. These projections incorporate
development data from the 2013 Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA)
database to determine populations for 2012 onwards.

GLA 2013-round SHLAA Capped population projections for Sutton

220,000
215,000
210,000
205,000
200,000
195,000

2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025
2026
2027
2028
2029
2030
2031
2032
2033
2034
2035
2036
2037
2038
2039
2040
2041

190,000

The Council's vision is to build a community in which all can take part and all can take pride.
This vision can only be realised through a true commitment by the Council and Sutton's
residents to promoting diversity and ensuring that we recognise and celebrate difference
within the context of fairness and equality.
Understanding the diversity of Sutton now and into the future is critical for achieving the
Councils vision. Therefore, this DataCard aims to look at the Sutton population from the
perspective of:
o Age
6

o Gender and transgender

o Disability and carers
o Religion
o Race and ethnicity
o
o
o
o

Sexual orientation
Domestic violence and hate crime
Deprivation and wellbeing
Workforce

Want to find out more about Sutton or your local area?

During 2014, Sutton will be launching data.sutton.gov.uk. Here you can find more in-depth local
information for Sutton as a whole, or broken down by Ward or Local Committee Area. In addition
to equality and diversity information, statistics on the website will cover:
o Population;
o Economy and Employment
o Children and Education
o Health and Social Care
o Housing and Households
o Transport and Travel
o Crime, and
o Community, Environment and Leisure

3. Age
The graph below includes Census 2011 data showing the percentage of the boroughs
population in age groups of five year bands.
Sutton Age Structure
Age 100+

0%

Age 95-99

0%

Age 90-94

1%

Age 85-89

1%

Age 80-84

2%

Age 75-79

3%

Age 70-74

3%

Age 65-69

4%

Age 60-64

5%

Age 55-59

5%

Age 50-54

6%

Age 45-49

8%

Age 40-44

8%

Age 35-39

8%

Age 30-34

8%

Age 25-29

7%

Age 20-24

6%

Age 15-19

6%

Age10-14

6%

Age 5-9

6%

Age 0-4

7%
0%

2%

4%

6%

8%

10%

Data source: Census 2011

The 2011 Census identified that 19% of the population were 15 or under, 31% of the
population were 0-24 years old, 44% were aged 30 to 59, and 14% were 65+ years.
8

Birth rates in Sutton have grown steadily over the decade with almost 14 births per 1,000
people in reported by ONS in 2012.1
Since Census 2001, there have been many changes in the age profile of Suttons population.
Since 2001 the 60 to 64 year old age group has experienced a population increase of 38%,
making it the fastest growing age group in the borough. At Census 2011 there were 27,233
residents aged 65 or over, of which 4,000 (14.7%) were 85+ years. Nonsuch and Cheam have
the highest number of older people and Sutton Central, Wandle Valley and St Helier the least.
Age Group Percentage Change
90+

11.2%

Age 85-89

7.0%

Age 80-84

8.5%

Age 75-79

-2.2%

Age 70-74

-1.6%

Age 65-69

10.0%

Age 60-64

38%

Age 55-59

9.4%

Age 50-54

4.3%

Age 45-49

33.5%

Age 40-44

17.0%

Age 35-39

-7.2%

Age 30-34

-7.3%

Age 25-29

-4.5%

Age 20-24

7.4%

Age 15-19

11.9%

Age10-14
Age 5-9

-0.4%
-8.3%

Age 0-4
-20%

9.2%
-10%

0%

10%

20%

Data Source: Census 2001 & 2011

1

Live Births by Area of Usual Residence, ONS 2012

30%

40%

The under 24s have experienced many changes, in particular an 11.9% population increase in
the 15-19 year olds. Looking ahead to 2021, the ONS subnational population projections
predict a 7% increase in the under 25s, while the GLA Trend projects an 8% increase.
Census 2011 identified that there were 78,174 households in the borough, with 32% having
dependent children. Of the households with dependent children 22% were lone parents
(accounting for 7.2% of households across all households).

10

4. Gender
According to the Census 2011, 48.6% of the population of Sutton are male and 51.4% are
female. This can be compared with the breakdown of population by gender in London where
49.3% were male and 50.7% female.

49%
Male

51%
Female

There is no official estimate of the transgender or transsexual (trans) population nationally or

locally. The Census 2011 did not asked if people identify as trans and no major Government or
administrative surveys collect data on trans people. However, existing studies estimate the
number of trans people in the UK to be between around 65,000 and around 300,0002. The
Gender Identity Research and Education Society (GIRES) predict that 20 per 100,000 people
have presented gender dysphoria, equating to roughly 39 residents in Sutton3. The absence of
an official estimate makes it impossible to establish the level of inequality, discrimination or
social exclusion that trans people experience.
The chart below shows Suttons population by age and gender. The chart shows, that there
are a larger proportion of males in the age group from 0 to 20 years. From the age of 58 there
are a larger number of females in each age group.

2
3

http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/sites/default/files/documents/research/trans_research_review_rep27.pdf
No. of gender dysphobia residents http://www.gires.org.uk/assets/Medpro-Assets/GenderVarianceUK-report.pdf

11

Sutton Population by Age and Gender

Age 84
Age 81
Age 78
Age 75
Age 72
Age 69
Age 66
Age 63
Age 60
Age 57
Age 54
Age 51
Age 48
Age 45
Age 42
Age 39
Age 36
Age 33
Age 30
Age 27
Age 24
Age 21
Age 18
Age 15
Age 12
Age 9
Age 6
Age 3
Age under 1
2000

1500

1000

500

500

Population
Males

Females

Data source: Census 2011

12

1000

1500

2000

5. Disability and Carers

According to the Equality Act 2010, a person has a disability if they have a physical or mental
impairment, and the impairment has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on their ability
to carry out normal day-to-day activities.
According to the Census 2011, 6% of the Sutton population have their day-to-day activities
limited a lot; this is very similar to the average for London (7%) and slightly below the average
for England (8%).
The graph below shows that from those residents who have their day-to-day activities limited
a lot, in Sutton there is a larger proportion than females (56.8%) than males (43.2%). This is
consistent with the figures for London and England.

% of people with Day-to-Day Activities limited a lot

56.8%

60%
50%

43.2%

55.1%
44.9%

54.9%
45.1%

40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Sutton

London

England

Data source: Census 2011

The chart below shows residents whose day-to-day activities are limited or not by age group.
Among Sutton residents a larger proportion of residents aged 65 years and over have their
day-to-day activities limited a lot.
13

All people

Day-to-day

Day-to-day

Day-to-day

activities

activities

activities not

limited a lot

limited a little

limited

All categories: Age

190,146

12,122

15,067

162,957

Age 0 to 15

37,988

519

772

36,697

Age 16 to 49

92,240

2,721

4,026

85,493

Age 50 to 64

32,685

2,379

3,511

26,795

Age 65 and over

27,233

6,503

6,758

13,972

Suttons White population accounts for 88.1% of all people in Sutton with day-to-day activities
limited a lot. This is a higher proportion when compared to the demographic profile where
White residents make up 78.6% of the population. The chart below shows the percentages of
each ethnic group with day-to-day activities that are limited a lot.
Mixed/ multiple
ethnic group
2%
Asian/ Asian
British
6%

White
88%

Black/ African/
Caribbean/
Black British
3%
Other ethnic
group
1%

Data is released by the Department of Work and Pensions about individuals in Sutton who
claim Disability Living Allowance (DLA), Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) and
Incapacity Benefit (IB). As at November 2013, 5,370 individuals in Sutton (4.3%) claim ESA and
14

IB. This is less than both London (5.5%) and Great Britain (6.2%). The percentage of Sutton
residents claiming DLA is 1%. This is slightly below the percentage nationally (1.2%) and above
the London (0.8%)4.
Projecting Adult Needs and Service Information (PANSI) has projected that by 2020 there will
be an increase in the population of residents with physical disability, learning disability and
mental health issues5.
There is however variations in the increase by disabilities and age. Those with learning
disabilities and mental health disabilities are predicted to increase overall. Whereas,
individuals with physical disabilities is projected to decrease in younger age groups (18-24
year olds) but increase in older age groups (55-64 year olds).

Carers
18,285 residents in Sutton provide unpaid care; equating to 9.6% of residents in Sutton. The
graph below shows the percentage of carers broken down by age group, comparing Sutton to
London and England.
50%
43.3%
38.3%

40%

34.9% 35.6%

34.8%
30.1%

30%
22.0%

19.4%

20%

16.3%
10.3%

10%

7.5%

7.4%

0%
Sutton
Age 0 to 24

London
Age 25 to 49

Data source: Census 2011

4
5

Nomis, DWP Benefit Claimants (November 2013)

PANSI Disability Population Projections (http://www.pansi.org.uk/)

15

Age 50 to 64

England
Age 65 and over

Since 2001, there has been an increase in the percentage of residents who are providing
between 2049 and 50+ hours of unpaid care. This suggests that along with an increasing
population there are also more unpaid hours of care being provided.
1,361 residents aged 0-24 years provide unpaid care. Of these, 76% provide 1 to 19 hours, 15%
provide 20 to 49 hours and 10% provide 50 or more hours of unpaid care a week.

6. Race and ethnicity

In England and Wales, White is the majority ethnic group at 48.2 million at the 2011 Census
(86.0%). White also continues to be the majority ethnic group in London, Sutton and
neighbouring boroughs. In comparison, Sutton currently has a higher White majority (78.6%)
than London (59.8%), Kingston (74.5%) and Merton (64.9%).
Black/ African/
Caribbean/
Black British
4.8%
Asian/ Asian
British
10.4%
White
78.6%
Mixed/ Multiple
ethnic group
3.8%
Other/ Chinese
2.4%

The Black/ African/ Caribbean/ Black British population currently makes up 4.8% of the
population of Sutton; this is higher than England & Wales (3.3%) but significantly less than
London (13.3%) and Merton (10.4%).
Since 2001 Sutton has followed the percentage changes in ethnicities in London and England &
Wales. Over the last 10 years there has been a significant increase in the Black and Ethnic
Minority population within the Borough; in particular there is now a substantially greater Asian
16

population, which has increased by 6.2% in 2011 compared to 2001. The graph below shows
the changes in the ethnicity of Suttons population compared to London and England.
Changes in Ethnicity between the 2001 and 2011 Census
0.5%
1.9%
0.6%

Other

2.2%
2.4%
1.1%

Black

6.2%
5.3%

Asian
2.7%
1.7%
1.8%
0.9%

Mixed

White

-10.6%
-11.4%
-5.3%

-15.0%

-10.0%
Sutton

-5.0%
London

0.0%

5.0%

10.0%

England and Wales

Data Source: Census 2001 & 2011

Ethnicity by age and gender

The graph below shows the percentages of each ethnic group, by gender and age group.
Looking into how ethnicity varies by age reveals some noticeable differences. For example, we
can see that the largest age group of the Mixed/ Multiple Ethnic group is the 0-15 age group
for both females and males the under 16s make up almost half of the mixed/multiple ethnic
group population. In the 0 15 years age group there is a larger proportion of Black/ African/
Caribbean/ Black British and Asian/ Asian British groups than White groups. This is consistent
for both males and females.

17

Age across the ethnicities also reveals that there are significantly more white 75+ compared to
other ethnic groups. This age group has slightly more females (10%) than males (7%).

0-15 yrs

Female

16-24

25-34

Other ethnic group

35-44

17%

45-54

55-64

65-74

75+

2%

Black/African/Caribbean/Black British

25%

2%

Asian/Asian British

24%

2%

Mixed/multiple ethnic group

Male

45%

White

17%

Other ethnic group

17%

Black/African/Caribbean/Black British

10%
2%

29%

Asian/Asian British

1%

25%

Mixed/multiple ethnic group

3%
47%

White

19%
0%

1%

1%
7%

10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Data Source: Census 2011

In relation to language, 92% of Sutton residents speak English as their main language. However
this does vary by age, with the lowest percentage in the 25-34 year olds (82%). This could be
linked to economic migration.

18

7. Religion and belief

Nationally, Christianity is the largest religion, representing 33.2 million people (59.3% of the
population). The second largest religious group are Muslims with 2.7 million people (4.8% of
the population). There was also a national increase of people who have no religion to 25.1%.
The graph below shows that in comparison to London, Sutton has a higher proportion of
Christians (58.4%), than the average in London (48.4%).

7%
9%
7%

Religion not stated

25%
No religion

21%
25%
0%
1%
0%

Other religion

1%
2%
0%

Sikh

5%
Muslim

12%
4%
1%
2%
0%

Jewish

2%
Hindu

5%
4%
0%
1%
1%

Buddhist

59%
Christian

48%
58%
0%

10%

20%

30%

England and Wales

London

40%

50%

60%

70%

Sutton

Data Source: Census 2011

Sutton also has a higher than average proportion of people with no religion, as the London
average (25% compared to 21%) and a lower proportion of Muslims as the average in London
(5% compared to 12%).
19

In Sutton more than a quarter of those who reported that they have no religion were under 18
years old, which might suggest a rise in those who report they have no religion in the future.
Christianity is the most popular religion for White residents, 63% of which are Christian.
Among Black/ African/ Caribbean/ Black British residents 82% are Christian.
For the Asian/ Asian British population the majority religion is Hindu (35%) this is higher than
the percentage of Asian/ Asian British residents who are Hindu in London (26%) and England
(19%).
In the other ethnic group category almost half (48%) are Muslim. However, for the
Asian/Asian British population there are far less Muslims (22%) compared to London (36%)
and England & Wales (43%).
It is also worth noting that the highest levels of no religion are in the mixed/multiple ethnic
groups (31%) and white (28%).

8. Sexual Orientation
The Census does not collect data on sexual orientation; as a result there are no official figures
on the heterosexual, lesbian, gay, or bisexual population in Sutton.
However, the Census does collect information about marital status of residents 16 years and
over. The following diagram shows that in 2011:
o 34.7% of the Sutton population were single (never married or never registered a same-sex
civil partnership),
o 47.7% were married,
o 0.2% were in a registered same sex civil partnership,
o 2.7 % were separated (but still legally married or still legally in a same-sex civil partnership),
o 8.4% were divorced or formerly in a same-sex civil partnership which is now legally
dissolved, and
o 6.3% of the population is widowed or surviving from a civil partnership only.

20

60%
47.73%

50%
40%

34.73%

30%
20%
8.39%

10%

6.26%

2.72%

0.17%
0%
Single (never
married or never
registered a
same-sex civil
partnership)

Married

In a registered
same-sex civil
partnership

Separated (but
Divorced or
Widowed or
still legally
formerly in a surviving partner
married or still same-sex civil from a same-sex
legally in a same- partnership civil partnership
sex civil
which is now
partnership) legally dissolved

Data Source: Census 2011

According to the ONS Integrated Households Survey (2012), 2.4% of adults in London identified
themselves as Gay, Lesbian or Bisexual. However, other estimates suggest that that 5-7% of
the population are lesbian, gay or bisexual, which would equate to roughly 9,500 13,300
residents in Sutton6.

No. of lesbian, gay and bisexual residents http://www.stonewall.org.uk/at_home/sexual_orientation_faqs/2694.asp

21

9. Domestic Violence and Hate Crime

Safer Sutton partnership has responsibility for monitoring and oversight of hate incidents. Hate
incidents are recorded under the following categories; race, disability, religious faith or belief,
sexual orientation and gender identity.
Hate crime figures for Sutton show that that race and/or religious crime is the most common
of all the hate crimes, accounting for 177 of the 197 reported incidents in 2013.
In 2013, 15 homophobic or transphobic crimes were reported in Sutton. This makes up 8% of
all hate crimes in 2013 and 7% of hate crimes since 2009.
It is worth noting that due to high levels of underreporting of hate crimes, the current levels in
Sutton should be assumed to only represent a proportion of all hate crimes committed.
Domestic violence victimisation rates per thousand adults are higher in Sutton than all
boroughs in South West London with the exception of Croydon. However, recent evidence
from the Crown Prosecution Service would suggest Sutton has one of the highest Domestic
Violence conviction rates across London at both Magistrate and Crown courts.
The Safer Sutton Partnership Strategic Assessment found that the peak age for domestic
violence victimisation is within the 24 to 32 age group this is significantly lower than last years
key age group of 33-41. This is a notable and positive change suggesting victims in Sutton are
reporting to Police earlier.
A small caveat must also be place on domestic violence data. As rates of domestic violence are
underreported due to a number of factors, such as the reluctance of victims to report their
experiences.

22

10. Deprivation
A common tool to understand deprivation is the Index of Multiple Deprivation. The Index of
Multiple Deprivation ranks small area levels (LSOA) from least to most deprived. The domains
used are income, employment, health and disability, education, crime, barriers to housing and
service and living environment7.
Sutton has a relatively low Index of Multiple Deprivation compared to other London Boroughs.
Yet within Sutton there are 17 Lower Super Output Areas (LSOAs) which are in the 30% most
deprived in the Country. Of these 17: 4 are in St Helier, 4 in Wandle Valley, 3 are in Beddington
North, 2 are in Sutton Central and there are one in each of Belmont, The Wrythe, Wallington
North and Wallington South.

16% of children in Sutton are living in poverty, a lower percentage compared to 26.7% in
London and 20.1% in England.8
For Sutton men the life expectancy at birth is 80.5 years, and for Sutton women it is 84 years,
compared with national averages of 79.2 years and 83 years respectively.
Although life expectancy at birth in Sutton is longer than the England average, there is
variation within the borough. For men, there is a difference of about 6 years between electoral
wards, ranging from approximately 77 years in St Helier, to 83 years in Nonsuch. For women,
there is a difference of about 8 years, ranging from approximately 81 years in Wandle Valley,
to almost 89 years in Nonsuch.9
7

Index of Multiple Deprivation, 2010, Published by DCLG (http://data.gov.uk/dataset/index-of-multiple-deprivation)

HM Revenue & Customs (Personal Tax Credits: Related Statistics Child Poverty Statistics, published by Public Health England
9
ONS data published by GLA: http://data.london.gov.uk/datastore/package/life-expectancy-birth-and-age-65-ward
8

23

11. Workforce
-

The Equality Act 2010 requires public bodies with more than 150 employees to publish
information to show that they have taken into consideration how their activities as employers
affect people who share different protected characteristics.

The Sutton Council workforce is made up of 625 males and 1 227 females, of which the median
full time gross salary for both is 25,710. The Councils departmental strategic directors are
made up of two males and two females and of the 23 staff who earn over 75 000, 14
employees are men and 9 are women.

In relation to BME, 1 347 council staff describe themselves as White British (including English,
Scottish, Welsh and Irish sub-classifications) and 395 describe themselves as from another
minority ethnic group (this number excludes employees who have not declared their
ethnicity.) Four of the employees who earn over 75 000 identify themselves as BME, 14 as
White British and 5 staff did not declare their ethnicity.

In the last year, with regard to grievances and disciplinary issues for staff with different
protected characteristics, of those employees whose contracts were terminated as a result of
disciplinary action, 93% were White British, 7% minority ethnic, and 57% were female.

Equalities monitoring shows that in the last year using our internal definitions of senior
positions over 50% remain female and the proportion of ethnic minorities shows
improvement. The London Borough of Sutton do not have formal targets for representation of
women and ethnic priorities in positions, but operate a policy that all permanent vacancies are
advertised externally, are open to competition and that appointment is of the best candidate
based on merit.

24